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How are they trained? if everyone shuns the aspect warriors because they are killers then wtf do they do when the gaurdians are used? every eldar has to be a gaurdian so they allmust fight? do they all dawn there war masks? Itseems to take forever for them to learn all of this?

basically Imlooking for info on the backround of gaurdians.

From my understanding, Guardians fall under two categories -

1) Those who are trained to defend the Craftworld as a last line of defense, but do not feel the pull of Khaine like the Aspect Warriors. They understand combat, but they do not relish it like the Aspects do, and have no war masks. You'll note that rangers & corsairs also engage in combat routinely, without the formal training and war masks of the Aspect Warriors.

2) Former Aspect Warriors who have put aside that Path, and have taken up another. They will still fight to defend the Craftworld, but they have learned to let go of Khaine's mantle and don't crave killing the way they once did.

Eldar shun the Aspects because killing is all they are. Guardians are another matter, they go to war only when absolutely necessary. One is a soldier, the other is a psychopath who just happens to be on your side.

Thank you. see this book "the path of the warrior' really should have clarified that somewhere.

All Craftworlders recieve a degree of military training, it's necessary to ensure the Craftworld's survival in light of small numbers of Aspect Warriors. Eldar are naturally quick learners with great reflexes, combine this with their advanced technology and a Guardian is a formidable fighter in his own right, I put him above normal Guardsmen anyway.

From my interpretation, it seems all Eldar are conscripted into a reserve force, like the National Guard or Army Reserves. They still have a day job, but they are trained how to use the weapons of the craftworld and in basic military theory.

Maenus_Rajhana wrote:One is a soldier, the other is a psychopath who just happens to be on your side.

This is actually a very good description of it. Thank you for posting this.

Yes it is an excellent way of looking at it that cleared it up for me. I might just start an eldar army now. I just wish they would give them a new codex though I know other armies are in greater need.

I think they'd have a little more control than a pyscho path.

I'd say one is a soldier the other is militia. As one is actually trained to do nothing but fighting where as the other is a citizen perhaps trained in order to fight if needed, the definition of militia.

militia
Noun:
A military force of civilians to supplement a regular army in an emergency.

No after reading the books it they really dosound like murderers when they have there warmask on. they are most certainly nothing like soldiers to my eyes. in the path of the warrior they train like martial artist complete with rituals and competing shrines and such. they may work as a unit but it far from the ridgid uniform soldiery of other armies like the tau and Imperium.

I meant in the strictest of sense, by definition they are; by behavior is subjective.

I remember reading that some of their suits actually posses a little of the will of the previous owners. This was likely for the Exarchs, who are exactly as you described above.

The Aspect warriors can go back to a different path. The Exarchs however are stuck as killing machines, unable to leave the path. The difference would likely be similar to that of an Aspect Warrior and a Guardian.

Yeah an exarch can almost never truly die because his soul is retainedin the armor and it mixes together with the others already there... its hard to explain lol it was kinda trippy. the reason aspects go on to the path of the warrior is to find a safe release for their rage. once they feel fulfilled they can leave... of they are able. for some khaine has to much hold over them and they become new exarchs.but in combat they are all blood crazed murderers. the exarch just doesnt stop being said crazy after the battle.
and yes as long as soldier means people who fight for a nation... world.... giant ship thing... then yes i agree. how they are used in practice is very different than how I view soldiers i guess.

Redbaron225 wrote:No after reading the books it they really dosound like murderers when they have there warmask on. they are most certainly nothing like soldiers to my eyes. in the path of the warrior they train like martial artist complete with rituals and competing shrines and such. they may work as a unit but it far from the ridgid uniform soldiery of other armies like the tau and Imperium.

Eldar have the ability to access away their emotions and experiences like a computer due to their complicated brains. Eldar indeed become cold-blooded killers when they don their "war mask" (aka bring out their war memories and killer persona) but they can also shelf it back away and be perfectly peaceful after that. An Exarch is one who can not shelf it away and is stuck in his war mask.

The Second Edition Eldar Codex is generally has the best descriptions of the Eldar path system. Basically, the Eldar path is a system wherby each Craftworld Eldar attempts and masters a skill otherwise known as a Path to the exclusion of others. The focus and mental discipline necessary to accomplish this is what keeps the Craftworlds safe from the hedonism that caused the fall. Aspect Warriors are those who tread the Path of the warrior. However, even warfare as a vocation is too broad for the Eldar. Each aspect uses a ritualized combat system which represents an aspect of Khaine. Other paths include the Path of the Craftsman (Bonesingers), Witch Path of the seers and the Path of the Outcast for the rangers. With such singular purpose, it is possible for an Eldar to be trapped on a certain path. Exarchs and Farseers are those who have become trapped on their respective paths, and IIRC, Pathfinders are trapped on the Path of the Outcast. These are viewed with a mixture of respect as represetatives at the pinnacles of their craft, but also with dread, as their personalities have been completely overtaken by their path.

As previously mentioned, Guardians are citizen militia. They also represent the standing army of each craftworld. The Eldar are few, and every able bodied individual must be available to answer the call to defend the Craftworld if necessary. Those who have served as Aspect Warriors do NOT return to their shrines once they have left the path for another vocation. They retain many of their skills, but can not access their specialized aspect warrior skills. These experienced individuals were represented as Veteran Sgts and Sgts in the Guardian corps. Warlocks are those who tread the Witch Path but have also had Aspect Warrior training.

Specifically with Warlocks, they are the craftworld psykers who have manifested USEFUL battlefield powers as a result or in addition to their former aspect life experience.

Their robes and helmets are kept with their previous warrior shrine (the only non-aspect stuff).

chromedog wrote:Specifically with Warlocks, they are the craftworld psykers who have manifested USEFUL battlefield powers as a result or in addition to their former aspect life experience.

Warlock is a choice. Any Eldar is capable of being one.

Eldar psychic ability is not random.